IR Code for Comcast DC50X DTA? - Page 2

I have two Emails from Comcast - the first claiming my VCR would work as it always did when the higher numbered channels in extended basic went digital - The second Email claimed that these channels would not be encrypted so a hard drive recorder that records clear QAM could record them with its timer. - Both of these statements were not true. - My solution was to call Comcast and ask to cancel my account which I have had since 1998 so that I could switch to Dish Network which is offering special prices. (It is easy to get through to the Comcast cancel service department.) - I was immediately offered a year's service at the introductory rate (less than half of what I am now paying) - plus a year's free HBO if I wouldn't cancel. -

I have created a WORKING custom RID file for the Pace DC50X Digital Transport Adapter (DTA) - Comcast and uploaded the file along with some information and short instructions.

Download Here:
www!hifi-remote!com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=6887

Be sure to read the README.TXT file if you would like a clue.

edit:
I've thought of a slightly simpler 1-file install technique for 5K users which will replace the original, useless "Pace" code in the 'Other Brand' cable box selection list. This way the new "Pace" code will actually do what it says. I've tested this on my own box and it works. In fact, I'm using my new "Pace" code 0237 right now!

4K users will still need all 3 original files UNLESS they choose to replace some other cable RID file (Cxxxxfi.rid) native to the 4K system. (Cable code 0237 is 5K specific.)

Download Pace_DC50X_as_0237.zip (or rename and hexedit your own copy - only 4 bytes changed as described in the original readme, 2 bytes at offset 0x6 and 2 bytes at offset 0x1a). Also included is an image for how to make a solderless IR-blaster.

edit2:
I've attempted to create an OBJ file for the 2K/3K users, but I have no way to test it. This is a new version with minimal button codes (217 bytes). Please let us know if it works for you. Henry (hdonzis) has reminded me that extract_rtv cannot change a file's size, consequently it unlikely that this OBJ file can be easily installed onto 2K/3K models because the largest factory OBJ already present on the HDD is only 138 bytes. You'll need to wait until extract_rtv is improved, unless you have PTVIO enabled or are extraordinarily handy with a hexeditor. More ideas here.

edit3: 2K/3K/ShowStoppers/etc
Belated congratulations to Mikeyboy and ClearToLand for their dogged and unyielding determination in finally solving this matter for loyal owners of these older DVRs. I've elected to leave my 'bad' OBJ file posted here as yet another shining example of how not to do it.


-eslave

I'll try to pick a more apathetic forum name next time

 

Pace_DC50X_RID.zip 5.9130859375k . file

 

Pace_DC50X_OBJ_2K3K.zip 3.2978515625k . file

 

Pace_DC50X_as_0237.zip 162.37890625k . file

I can vouch that it works a charm on RTV 5k! I used the DVArchive with Wirns method to get the 2009 codes onto my RTV. I elected not to over-write the original Pace codes for two reasons:

1. Fear that it would be replaced again by the original during a phone-home connection.
2. The originals are not truly useless. They are intended for and work with other Pace equipment which is diestrbuted by cable companies.

Huge thanks to eslave aka dontcareavs, as well as seconding eslave's thanks to FlipFlop and The RobMan.

I'm not sure if this will help anyone here, but I finally found a universal remote that can control the Pace DTA box from Comcast. A discussion on DSLReports.com pointed to a unit from Universal Remote Control (UCR-R6 unit) that can learn the codes from the Pace remote. I got one yesterday and after programming all the Pace buttons into the UCR unit, I finally have one remote that can control the TV, DTA and DVR unit.

More details on the remote itself can be found at http://www.universalremote.com

Alan

After 2 days of trying to figure out where WiRNS was loading the shellcmds file from...I GOT IT TO WORK!!! THANK YOU!

I don't have a photo partition on my ReplayTV. How do I load the RID files?

Well, you always have a photo partition, the question is whether it is large enough to hold the RID file or not. In DVArchive you can change the photo partition detection size to 1 MB and see if DVA says that your RTV has enough space to be usable...

If you don't have enough space in your photo partition, then you'll have to add the rid file the old-fashioned way and follow the instructions for putting the RID file directly on your RTV hard drive using extract_rtv or extract_rtv5...

Henry

Henry,

Thanks for the info. I don't have ANY photo partition (formated it myself), tried to DVA trick to verify.

So I have the EXTRACT_RTV but the only info I can find on it suggests it for recovering shows off a drive not putting the RID files onto a drive.


I found this which scares me:
""You might check if DVArchive can "see" the new photo partition even if the Replay can't. Another option might be to overwrite a workable set of associated blaster files directly to p1 using extract_rtv. I personally wouldn't want to attempt that without assistance from FlipFlop or Henry, but you could always test such a maneuver on a duplicated system partition with little risk. ""


Can someone point me to directions.

Thanks

You ALWAYS have a photo partition, even when you format it without one. It just comes out very small. You can try changing DVA's minimum size to zero to see exactly what size your photo partition is. But, if it's less than 1 megabyte, you probably won't be able to use it anyways...

You can also use httpfs from ReplayPC to see exactly what size your photo partition is (using the "volinfo photo" option)...


Extract_rtv can put files on your RTV in addition to extracting them. If you read dontcareavs' information, it has instructions on doing the old-fashioned way of using extract_rtv to replace a RID file on your RTV...

Henry

Henry, I can't find those directions ANYWHERE. I opened all the zip files, they seem to assume you know how to use extract_rtv. Previous posts make it seem like a crap shoot, am I better off wiping the drive to add a photo partition?

I was in the same boat as you. To create a Photo partition, I found that I had to do a factory reset and then when going through the initial setup, specify some space for the Photo partition.

When you do a factory reset, you lose everything on the disk--shows, settings, schedules, etc. So before doing the factory reset, I noted all settings and schedules. Then I used DVA to transfer any recorded shows that I deemed valuable. After the reset, I was able to perform the Wirns/DVA method of updating the IR codes. I reapplied my settings as before the factory reset. I rescheduled my recordings.The transferred shows were viewable from the RTV when DVA was running. (There is no way to transfer them back to the RTV via DVA.)

CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION
Do the following only when you are convinced that there is nothing on your disk that is valuable to you. The disk will be wiped clean.

How to perform a factory reset:

• Locate your ReplayTV remote controller
• Turn ON your ReplayTV
• Point the remote controller at the ReplayTV
• Press 3 on remote controller
• Press 8 on remote controller
• Press 2 on remote controller
• Press ZONES button on remote controller
• Answer YES to reset question
• Wait for Factory Reset / Reboot to complete

During the setup you'll get an opportunity to set the size for the Photos partition.

It seems like a lot of work, but if you don't want to yank the drive and write to it directly, it works.

You are correct that it doesn't have step-by-step instructions, but extract_rtv is a command line program and it has help for the command line format. The directions are in the README.TXT file that dontcareavs made a big deal about reading...

Did you try running DVArchive with the photo partition detection size set to zero to see what size the photo partition is on that RTV? If you set it to zero, it will find the photo partition on that RTV guaranteed! You probably can make do with about 100K to install that RID file...

If you don't mind pulling your hard drive, you can use RTVPatch to change the partition size of your photo partition. I'm not sure how well that works out when you have shows store on the RTV hard drive. But, you could also copy the RTV hard drive to another hard drive and change the photo partition size in the process...

Using 382-Zones to factory reset and reconfigure the photo partition is obviously the easiest thing. So, if you don't mind giving up everything on your RTV, the you can go that route. You can use DVA to download the shows you care about so that you don't have to watch everything before resetting the RTV...

Henry

By the way, I also modified WiRNS today to allow it to also operate on an RTV with a very small photo partition. I tested it on three of my RTVs that don't have photo partitions and it worked fine. I also used DVA on those three RTVs without any problem, either. I have 8 RTVs all without photo partitions, and I only found one of them to have the photo partition be so small that I can't use it...

Just to show you how easy it is to check the photo partition size on any RTV, including ones that don't have the photo partition configured, all you have to enter in your browser is: http:///httpfs-volinfo?name=photo

One of my units without a configured photo partition returns this:

Which shows the photo partition as being 1MB with 576KB used and 448KB available. 448KB is more than enough space to install the RID file...

The one RTV I have whose photo partition is too small returns this:

Which is only 56KB and is too small to install the RID file. But, you can see that even though I didn't configure a photo partition on those RTVs, there is still space allocated for it...

Henry

I have two replayTV units. First below below has a photo partition the other doesn't according to DVA with size set to 0.

1st unit:
0
cap=999948288
inuse=4456448


2nd unit:
80820005


Strange result on the 2nd unit, I assume I do not have a photo partition.

Thanks everyone for you feedback!!

Check your DVA messages. Even though my very small photo partition RTV shows "This DVR is not setup to contain photos", the DVA messages show:
You need to double check for cockpit error. The RTV OS has the names of the volumes supported and "photo" is part of the configuration:

If you can't access the "photo" partition, then I would be concerned that something is corrupt on that RTV...

Henry

DVA says:
ERROR: Unable to get photo volume information for DVR

Was planning on a factory reset anyways.

I have never used wirns is there a step by step on how to get the rtf file to the right place

I had never used Wirns before either. Check out Adding new IR Blaster codes to the Replay unit (4k/5k). That should get you going.

Good luck!

Thanks for the help I am still having trouble getting my replay to connect to my pc thru my network not sure why but I will keep working on it

Do you already have your RTV working with WiRNS before trying to install the RID file? Did you follow the instructions in the WiRNS readme? Did you change your Replay's DNS addresses to the WiRNS IP address?

Henry

Could you be having a problem with the Windows' firewall? Try turning it off while you're trying to use Wirns. If that works, you could add Wirns as a trusted application to the firewall and then you should be able to re-enable the firewall.

after messing with it almost all day I finely got it to work. I feel dumb I thought the firewall was off and also there where some other issues still before I got it to work. Now if only this dumb box could go above 100 with the remote

Congratulations!

The Pace DC50X definitely goes above 100. It just depends on what channels you have available on your cable account. In my system, there are "holes", that is, I don't have every channel available to me, but I definitely have channels above 100, like HBO which is 540.

but you can only select two digit channels on this box even thou it goes up way above that. I hate comcast

Naturally SourceForge would change their URL mappings so soon after my posts.
Here are some link updates (for the original README, almost all were within the RTVpatch project):

The ISO referred to is now here.

extract_rtv can now be found here:
extract_rtv5 (new version) PC / Mac
extract_rtv (old version) PC / Mac

-------------------------------------------------------
Also, HTTPFS is part of the ReplayPC program suite.
-------------------------------------------------------

As the DVArchive method of getting files into your RTV 4K/5K has been discussed extensively in many other threads I'll focus on httpfs and extract_rtv for the 1-file installation method.

These instructions are not 'fool-proof' (nothing is - bigger, better, far more astounding fools come along every day). If words and phrases like 'upload', 'IP address', or 'command line' cause dizziness, uncontrollable sweating, and/or nausea then find someone else to perform this upgrade for you. (You would probably refer to such a person as 'geek', 'dork', 'nerd', or the occasional 'gimpy douchebag' - and possibly some even more colorful attributions.)


Installing files with HTTPFS:

The RID file itself is VERY small (2276 bytes), but it will still occupy an entire cluster when the RTV writes it to your HDD (probably 32kb or more depending on the size of your HDD). The Photo partition (even if you never configured one) often will have at least 1 cluster allocated, and sometimes even more. This should be enough room to perform the 1-file upgrade. HTTPFS should be able to send a file to your RTV's Photo partition, even if DVArchive refuses to cooperate (this worked for my other 5K). I suppose you can even go through the post(HTTPFS)/copy(WiRNS) process 2 or 3 times if you really want to perform the 3-file upgrade with such seriously limited space considerations, just remember you may need to delete the previous file(s) before uploading more (or use 'mv -f' instead of 'cp -f' in your shellcmds). Given my sample cluster/filesize (see below) I should be able to get 2 small files (up to 196608 bytes each) at a time into my 'unallocated' Photo partition.

[Step 1: Get the RID file into your RTV (on it's HDD) by uploading the file.]
So, for the 1-file install on a 5K (assuming "httpfs.exe" and "C0237fi.rid" are in the current directory):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
httpfs -a -s 520411140 writefile -f C0237fi.rid /Photo/C0237fi.rid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(The -s version string may need to be changed for 4K's.)

[Step 2: Get the RID file into your RTV's (normally inaccessible) system directory with a copy shellcmd via WiRNS or PTVIO.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
cp -f /name/storage/Photo/C0237fi.rid /name/system/user/mirror/sys-setup-gaea/data/irCodeset/C0237fi.rid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Notice I made no 'install' directory in the first step (to preserve 1 cluster) and adjusted the final shellcmd accordingly.)

FYI, my never-configured, empty, Photo partition (in response to http:///httpfs-volinfo?name=photo):

and after sending only the RID file with HTTPFS:

It appears (on my 40GB factory HDD, re-imaged once) the 2276 byte RID file consumed 196608 bytes worth of cluster(s). (I am reasonably certain it only occupies 1 cluster, but thats huge - 6 times larger than your maximum FAT32 cluster!)


Installing files with EXTRACT_RTV:

[If you've ever touched the command-line, and installed or replaced/upgraded an IDE HDD in someone's computer then extract_rtv should be well within your capabilities. You may need to change the Master/Slave/Cable-Select jumper for your PC to detect the RTV HDD (don't forget to change it back!). Older machines running 2K/XP (or better) can still use extract_rtv even if the old BIOS fails to detect the RTV HDD on boot, as long as XP's 'Disk Management' snap-in (right-click 'My Computer', Manage, Storage) can properly detect the HDD within Windows then it should work. (I have one old PC that behaves this way.) Most modern OS HDD drivers will almost completely circumvent BIOS routines because they are notoriously untrustworthy.]

If I had insufficient room on my Photo partition and wanted to maintain my recordings, and given that I have a RTV 5K and use a PC, I would download the PC version of extract_rtv5.
According to its README:

Be CERTAIN of your RTV HDD's devicename when plugged into your PC! Because the RID file will be (over-)written directly onto a file within the RTV HDD's system folder you do not need to issue any shellcmds (WiRNS/PTVIO) to complete the installation.


To make a backup copy of the sacrificial target RID (assuming 1-file install) AND to verify the correct devicename of your RTV HDD (optional, but highly recommended):
------------------------------------------------------
extract_rtv5 -p1 -e /user/mirror/sys-setup-gaea/data/irCodeset/C0237fi.rid
------------------------------------------------------
(It's been so long since I've used this program that I cannot recall if it accepts a target filename, or simply assumes the same filename as the source and writes it to the current directory.)

Place your RTV's original "C0237fi.rid" in a safe place, then unzip a copy of my new "C0237fi.rid" (DC50X).

For the 1-file install on a 5K (assuming "extract_rtv5.exe" and "C0237fi.rid" are in the current directory):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
extract_rtv5 -p1 -w /user/mirror/sys-setup-gaea/data/irCodeset/C0237fi.rid C0237fi.rid
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*OR*, depend on extract_rtv's ability to auto-detect your RTV HDD (risky in my opinion):
----------------------------------------------------------------
extract_rtv5 -p1 -w /user/mirror/sys-setup-gaea/data/irCodeset/C0237fi.rid C0237fi.rid
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Your target RID must be at least 2276 bytes for extract_rtv to successfully replace it with with my new RID. This works fine for C0237, but you should check twice if you have changed the new RID's internal identity and filename.)


This concludes today's RTFM seminar.



sean6484,
Either you've 'fine-tuned' your IR-blaster settings to a maximum of 2 digits, or there are no clear channels above 100 in your area. Try the DTA's remote control, and remember you can't really "surf" (CH+/CH-) with that remote through all channel ranges - you need to KNOW the (clear) channel number or it will stay on the last channel tuned (clear channels are not always contiguous in the line-up).

-eslave


P.S.: Don't worry about code C0237 being replaced during a 'phone-home' connection. No new software has been produced for the RTVs in a very long time. Now, after the remnants of ReplayTV.com have been sold/acquired twice since its initial spin-off I strongly doubt that anyone within the company retains the knowledge-base or skill-set required to implement any genuine software upgrades. The last ReplayTV update was the new DST adjustment, but that was simply a registry change as I recall. There is a 'newer than factory' 5K image (for very late refurbs), but it lacks the 'Only record new episodes' option. The current owners of ReplayTV.com are only interested in guide subscriptions, viewing habits (which they likely sell), selling the PC (software) version of ReplayTV, and possibly thinking of re-implementing that blissful PAUSE screen advertising (remember?).

However, pdellera's concern has had me thinking lately that the ultimate 1-step RID upgrade option for 4K/5K users would be a tweaked, globally accessible WiRNS server that could somehow send only the new RID file as part of a 'software update', and the shellcmds would then finish the job at the end. Then only a small configuration-free WiRNS-proxy would need to run on the LAN (or even an extremely dumbed-down pseudo-WiRNS server instead of a proxy). The end-user would still need to make the RTV network adjustments (gateway/DNS) required to point at the WiRNS proxy, but all the other WiRNS configuration confusion could be left behind (like waiting 30+ minutes for it to notice your RTV before you can add it to the list.) Also, the end-user would need a mechanism (either through a remote webpage or within the LAN proxy) for identifying which RID they wanted, the desired code number, and likely their IP address so the remote WiRNS server would know which RID to send to which IP. This and many other pipe-dreams will likely be available the day after you unplug your RTV for the last time.

Hmm, I don't understand how that is the case. I have no problem punching 5-4-0 to reach channel 540. And of course, when I select HBO from the guide, the RTV just sends 5-4-0 to the box. So it seems like there must be something else going on, but I haven't a clue.

You might want to contact Comcast (yeah, yeah, I know!) and ask them why the box doesn't tune higher than channel 99. I wouldn't even mention the RTV, just talk about (and use, if instructed) the original remote.

Good luck!

Well I got it to work after fixing my photo partition.

What I did was take Flip Flop's Bootable CD (linux-cd-image-2.5.5d.iso) and edited it with MagicISO. So I put dontcareavs new RID file (C2009fi.rid) onto the CD and edited the shellcmds file so it now had the copy for C2009fi.rid.

Booted the CD via the directions, changed my ReplayTV cablebox code to 2009.

DONE, its works. But comcast still sucks (not a ReplayTV issue).


If someone could tell me how to upload the CD ISO to SourceForge, I could add it there.

Thanks again everyone.

Very cool. I tried that approach first, but I don't have a computer with an ethernet card that is supported by the drivers on the disk image. Hopefully you'll be able to get your mod out so others can take advantage of your work.

One quick question, that has been inspired by fin Bavarian beer and a quest of my own.

Once codes have been uploaded to a Replay for a STB, can't that image then be used as a stem cell to clone other Replays in way of STB control, especially in way of DTV boxes? Cant we make a new RTV Factory Reset Image with all the crap already loaded?

Cheers!
-Doug

That would be useful if you wanted to have to re-image your RTV in order to install the addition IR-blaster code sets versus being able to install the code sets on a configured RTV (which doesn't require opening the RTV and removing the hard drive). In addition, you'd have to make 4 different images with the code sets installed for all the different model RTVs...

Henry